Poor oral hygiene linked to pregnancy problems
A mother’s poor oral hygiene could heighten the risks of premature delivery and infection of the newborn child, among other complications, a new study has found.
The Queen Mary University of London study, spearheaded by Cecilia Gonzales-Marin, found that oral bacteria can be spread to an unborn child through blood and amniotic fluid. Birth weight and the premature onset of contractions are among other complications that could result from poor oral hygiene.
The study tested the stomach contents of 57 newborn babies and found 46 species of bacteria. Two of these species – Granulicatella elegans and Streptococcus sinensis – came from the mouth, and have previously been linked with infections in the rest of the body.
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